Depreciation is defined as the reduction in the value of an asset over time. Depreciation is one of the most powerful tax benefits of real estate investing! Our favorite CPA Tom Wheelwright calls depreciation “the magical deduction.”

Depreciation is important because it helps you keep more money in your pocket, instead of sending it off to the federal government at tax time. This is a fantastic method used to mitigate your overall tax burden, so you’ll want to know exactly how it works.

Per the federal government, every year for 27.5 years you can claim depreciation on a property to offset rental income. This is because the government recognizes that things fall apart over time.

Let's say you own a rental property valued at $50,000. Here's how you would calculate depreciation on that investment:

$50,000 / 27.5 years = $1818

That's $1818 you can claim on your taxes every single year for 27.5 years to offset your overall tax burden! In this scenario, let's say your property brings in $5000 every year in rental income. Instead of paying taxes on the full $5000, you get to subtract your depreciation!

$5000 annual rental income - $1818 in depreciation = $3182

Wouldn't you rather pay taxes on $3182 than $5000? It's a no-brainer! That money adds up every year, for 27.5 years! That's why depreciation has incredible implications in real estate investing.

If you want to learn more about how rental real estate can help you create passive income and offset your taxes, let's talk! Click the button below to schedule a free 30-minute call with my team. We'd love to discuss your real estate goals.